General Description

Above: dark brown with a central orange band and a blue-centred eyespot to the forewing; hindwing with an orange-ringed eyespot. Below: similar to above but paler in colour, hindwing with a narrow cream band. Wingspan up to 60 mm.

Biology

These butterflies are slow, graceful fliers, flying within a metre or two of the ground. They breed on large Saw-sedge grasses (Gahnia), the food plant of the caterpillars. Draining of wetlands, as well as urbanisation, have caused a decline of this species in some areas.

Distribution

South-eastern mainland Australia

Habitat

Swamp areas on coasts and tablelands

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